GOVT. OPENS BIDDING FOR CELLULAR SERVICES.

The Government has formally invited bids for two licenses which would allow new cellular (wireless and mobile) telephone networks to operate here in competition with Cable & Wireless (Ja.), reports CANA (October 20, 1999). The announcement by Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell followed

hard on the heels of the signing of a Terms of Agreement on September 30 by the Government and C&W for a three-phased transition over three years to a fully competitive telecoms industry. The British-based telecoms giant has up to now enjoyed a monopoly on voice telephony and related services in Jamaica. The cellular licenses are to be granted in Phase One of the agreed transition to full competition and will follow the passage of new telecommunications legislation which is expected within six months. Paulwell said the auction will close on December 17. The local press reported that the Government was hoping to raise over US$100 million from the auctioning of the cellular licences.